Former Newcastle manager John Carver admits he was surprised that owner Mike Ashley was not at St James’ Park to witness the club’s promotion to the Premier League, because he knows ‘how much he loves the club’.

The Magpies won promotion last night with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Preston North End as they bounced back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

And while the win provoked scenes of celebration inside St James’ Park, there was one notable absentee - the owner.

“Maybe he didn’t want to put an extra pressure on Rafa and the supporters and the team by being there so he may have done the right thing by staying away and allowing the team to get that result we needed and thank God we got it.”

The discussion then prompted TalkSport pundit and former Sunderland full-back Micky Gray to ask Carver whether he believes Ashley would be tempted to sell the club.

There have been rumours of interest from investors in the Far East, and while Carver thinks Ashley would consider selling at the right price, he believes Ashley will want to stick around next season and see how far Benitez can take the club.

“I think if the price was right then I am sure Mike would consider that,” added Carver.

“He has gone through some decent times and he has gone through the bad times and he is still there so why shouldn’t he be there for the good times next season?

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“The team are back in the Premier League, where we belong, and I’m so pleased because when the season started out people were talking about Newcastle going unbeaten.

“Now if you have been in the Championship - and I certainly have - it is one of the toughest leagues in the world.

“To have achieved what they have achieved and they may be the second best team in the division, but they deserve to be in the Premier League and I think Mike will want to hang around to see what happens next year."